LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FOR THE 2011 ... - Fauquier County

FauquierCounty supports enabling legislation which would provide for the ability to choose either a proffer policy or an impact fee system at the local level. The County believes that local governing bodies are in the best position to determine which tools will work most effectively for each situation they face. Criminal Justice FauquierCounty (in conjunction with the Virginia Association of Counties and the Virginia Municipal League) opposes any attempt to legislatively restrict the placement of pretrial defendants under the supervision of a qualified local pretrial services agency as such a restriction would result in excessive overcrowding in local jails and significantly increased costs to localities. Purchase of Development Rights and Conservation FauquierCounty supports increased State funding for the purchase of conservation easements and other land conservation needs. Water Resources FauquierCounty supports a comprehensive, state-funded study of the Commonwealth’s surface and groundwater resources. Libraries FauquierCounty opposes any reduction in state aid to public libraries beyond across-theboard cuts proposed by the Governor. In FY 2011, state aid is funded at 50% of the level mandated by the Code of Virginia. Any additional cuts in state aid to public libraries represents a serious threat to a program which the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) found in 2001 to be effective in leveraging local spending and achieving cost efficiencies. FauquierCounty supports development of a partnership between local public libraries, K-12 public schools, and the Commonwealth of Virginia to adequately fund the Find It Virginia electronic databases. The federal funds currently used to support this important program are losing their buying power as prices from publishers increase. New approaches need to be developed to infuse state funding into this important and cost-saving program. Tax Amnesty FauquierCounty supports legislation to establish a local Tax Amnesty Program to improve voluntary compliance with the tax laws and to increase and accelerate collection of certain taxes owed to the County

Transportation Priorities FauquierCounty encourages the Commonwealth to address the annual shortfall of road maintenance funding, which continues to negatively effect capital funding for secondary roads and streets. FauquierCounty supports adjustments to the formula for distribution of road construction funding statewide to reflect the disproportionate burden on faster-growing areas. FauquierCounty supports increased levels of funding for the Revenue Sharing Program. FauquierCounty supports State funding for the following top three transportation priorities: a. Completion of design, funding and construction of a “Florida” or “Power T” option for the Route 215 and Route 15/29 intersection which would allow free flow southbound traffic; b. Spot safety adjustments and intersection improvements (including turn lanes and signalization) in the Route 28 corridor between Route 15/29 and the Prince William County border; c. Work with VDOT and Norfolk Southern to accomplish reopening and modernization of the railroad crossing at Whiting Road (Route 622) in Marshall. A Copy Teste Paul S. McCulla Clerk to the Board of Supervisors